Two down - more signings to come, says Reds boss

Phil Lutton

Anthony Faingaa, along with his twin brother Saia, has re-signed with the Reds for another two seasons. Photo: Getty

What a difference a few weeks can make. With rising twins Anthony and Saia Faingaa safely on the Queensland books for a further two seasons, bullish Reds chief executive Jim Carmichael says fans can expect more promising news as the club barricades its key personnel from the Melbourne Rebels.

Hooker Saia and centre Anthony, two of Queensland's most improved players in 2010 who have both thrived under Ewen McKenzie, were announced as the first major signings since the Rebels were given permission to adopt a carte blanche recruiting approach as the new franchise tries to fill its books for its freshman season in 2011.

Buoyed by that result and Queensland's resurgence this season, capped off by a 50-10 drubbing of the Western Force on Sunday, Carmichael is happy to "stick his chin out" and predict rosier times ahead, both on the field and in the boardroom.

He says of the estimated 28 Reds players off contract, more than 20 had been secured for the future as McKenzie works overtime to retain a group of players that have turned more than a few heads in the Super 14 campaign.

Related Content

"I've got to say - and I'm being genuine - we're very, very comfortable because we've learned from six years ago and we've been on the front foot for months now. Our number is in excess of 20 that we've signed up," Carmichael said.

"We've got some players we're still working through given there's a bit of competition in our team. We're still making our final plans but we're very very comfortable where we are at the moment.

Advertisement

"It's above 20 but I don't want to give more than that because there are players that are still on the fringe. We're determining if they are part of it or not. In the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to make an announcement once we've got all of that finalised."

A number of Reds players, including back-up halfback Richard Kingi, lock Adam Byrnes and prop Laurie Weeks have been strongly linked with the Rebels although the Melburnians are yet to announce any concrete deals apart from England's Danny Cipriani.

The high number of re-signings at Ballymore may even suggest some of the players reportedly destined for Victoria may have had a rethink given the upward trend of the Reds and the impact a switch of club may have on potential Wallaby selection.

Two of Queensland's biggest names outstanding are star five-eighth Quade Cooper and boom flanker Scott Higginbotham. Both have given strong indications they will remain at Ballymore, with Higginbotham saying after Sunday's win he has no intention of jumping ship.

Not so positive is the potential signing of Mark Gasnier, who will return to Australian shores after his stint with Stade Francais - McKenzie's former club - ends mid-year.

McKenzie has been in constant touch with Gasnier but while admitting he was not deeply involved in any potential courting process, Carmichael suggested McKenzie may not "bet the house" on getting the former league star's signature.

We're still making our final plans but we're very very comfortable where we are at the moment

"Ewen is thinking on that. I haven't stayed that close in the last couple of weeks because I have great faith in Ewen's decision making process," Carmichael said.

"Ewen's a great believer - although there is some talent around the place - we want to grow our own, we want to look after our own. It doesn't matter what the player is out there, Ewen has alternatives.

"I don't know how committed he is to chasing him. He could be in his plans but I don't think he's going to bet the house on it."

McKenzie said the signing of the Faingaa twins was was a simple decision given the impact they have made in Reds colours so far this season.

"We want to reward performance and both Anthony and Saia are giving us what we want," McKenzie said. "As a result we were keen for them to be part of our future plans.

"By re-signing through to 2012 they obviously recognise what we have going here and want to be part of it."

The Faingaas, captain and vice-captain of the victorious Australian U19 world championship team, debuted for the Brumbies in 2006 and 2007 but had never started in the same team until the round two upset of the Crusaders last month.